The Nigerian Immigration Service, alerted by The Press Society, has apprehended 28 individuals linked to an alleged cross-border scam coercing Liberians in Nigeria to deceive relatives abroad for funds, though NIS now disputes “victim” status

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), in collaboration with The Press Society (TPS), an NGO dedicated to promoting development and peace, has moved to investigate an alleged scam scheme targeting Liberian citizens residing in Nigeria.

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This action followed intelligence gathering and a distress call received by TPS.

TPS received a petition detailing the plights of Liberian victims who claimed they were coerced into manipulating their family and friends, making them believe they were living in Australia, while in reality, they remained in Nigeria.

Victims interviewed described being kept indoors for over six months in Nigeria. On some occasions, they were taken to exotic locations on the Island to take pictures and engage in video chats with family and friends.

This elaborate deception aimed to convince relatives that they were thriving and enjoying a good life in Australia.

The alleged scheme handlers reportedly used various international numbers to facilitate the deception, making it easier to convince family and friends to raise funds for supposed visa processing to Australia.

Victims recounted attempts to challenge the scheme, but they were often branded as “rebels.” Observing a “divide and rule” tactic by the handlers, the victims began to “play along” to remain in the good graces of the scheme’s leaders, a decision that ultimately aided their escape and cry for help without raising suspicion.

Thousands of dollars were reportedly collected from these individuals for “visa processing to Australia,” yet they never left Nigeria.

Instead, they were allegedly instructed to deceive more people from Liberia into believing they were in Australia.

We are now being told of some products that can enhance our traveling to Europe.

Another victim, who preferred to remain anonymous, told TPS: “They harbor us in a house, we were sleeping like refugees after paying them $3,000 each, some people even pay more. We were mandated to daily report to a place highlighted as an office. We will be there daily obtaining information on our to market and sell #Qnet product which is a network marketing platform.”

Upon receiving the petition, the NIS swiftly mobilised an armed team and raided one of the alleged syndicate hideouts in a community in Agura-Gberigbe, Ikorodu.

The operation, carried out on April 15, 2025, led to the apprehension of 28 individuals, comprising both alleged victims and scheme syndicates. Phones, computers, international passports, and power banks were seized and documented with the NIS.

Following the arrests, the NIS informed the investigative team of TPS that justice would be served and promised feedback once their investigation was complete.

The NIS PRO, Mr. Ademulegun of the Zone, accompanied by Deputy Controller (DC) Samuel Okafor, confirmed these assurances.

However, when contacted later for an update on their investigation, Ademulegun provided a different perspective. He stated that “the alleged scam victims are not victims according to their investigation.”

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He further clarified that “just 8 of them are in Nigeria illegally, and according to ECOWAS treaty, they have 90 days window of opportunity to stay in the country and we have asked them to leave when it lapses.”